SGOT Test In Pune - Price & Details

The SGOT test measures the amount of serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) in a blood sample. SGOT is the older term for aspartate aminotransferase (AST). SGOT or AST is an enzyme involved in processing proteins and helping cells use nutrients for energy. It is present in various tissues, including the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, kidneys, brain, and red blood cells. AST is normally contained within cells. When these cells are damaged, the enzyme can be released into the bloodstream, leading to increased AST levels. Raised AST may be associated with liver inflammation or injury, but it can also occur following muscle injury, strenuous physical activity, heart-related injury, and certain other conditions. Your doctor may recommend an SGOT test to evaluate possible liver or tissue injury, investigate symptoms that may be related to liver problems, assess liver health, or monitor an existing liver condition and its treatment. Since AST is not specific to the liver, the result is generally considered alongside tests such as SGPT/ALT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination.

Your doctor may recommend an SGOT test in the following situations:

• Routine health check-up: As part of a routine health check-up or to assess overall liver health.
• Monitoring: To monitor an existing liver condition or response to treatment.
• Symptoms: If you have symptoms that may suggest liver or other tissue injury, such as nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain or swelling, dark urine, pale stools, or persistent itching.
• Risk factors: If you have a higher risk of liver disease, such as a family history of liver disease, regular or excessive alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, or hepatitis.
• Medications: If you take medicines that may affect the liver, your doctor may recommend periodic liver enzyme testing.
• Hepatitis-related check-ups: If you have a history of hepatitis or possible exposure to hepatitis, testing may be advised as part of your evaluation.

Note: SGOT is not specific to the liver, so your doctor may recommend it along with other liver tests depending on your symptoms and medical history.

High levels of SGOT in the blood may be due to:

• Liver conditions: Fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, cirrhosis, and other conditions that cause liver inflammation or damage.
• Heart-related problems: Heart attack or other conditions causing heart muscle injury.
• Muscle injury: Severe muscle damage, strenuous exercise, or conditions such as rhabdomyolysis.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas.
• Haemochromatosis: A condition in which excess iron builds up in the body and can damage the liver.
• Mononucleosis: A viral infection that can temporarily raise liver enzymes.
• Severe burns or seizures: These can cause tissue or muscle injury, leading to increased SGOT.
• Medicines or substances: Certain medicines and substances that can injure the liver, including excessive alcohol use.
• Surgery: SGOT may temporarily increase after certain surgical procedures due to tissue injury.

Low levels of SGOT in the blood are usually considered normal. Very rarely, it may be associated with:

• Vitamin B6 deficiency
• Certain kidney-related conditions and renal dialysis
• Pregnancy

Note: If your results are not in the normal range, it does not always mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Many things can affect your results, such as pregnancy, exercise, certain medicines, and your age or sex. Talk with your doctor to learn what your results mean. The above list is for educational purposes only and does not confirm a diagnosis or the presence of any condition.

What to Expect Before the Test?

• The SGOT test does not require fasting on its own. However, if it is being conducted alongside other blood investigations or as part of a comprehensive health check-up package, your doctor may instruct you to avoid food and beverages for a specified period before the test.
• Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements as certain substances can influence SGOT readings. However, do not stop or adjust any medication without medical guidance. Also, let them know if you have been ill recently or have any underlying medical conditions.
• Abstain from alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test. Alcohol consumption can cause a short-term rise in SGOT levels, which may interfere with accurate interpretation of results. Let your doctor know if you consume alcohol regularly or in higher amounts.
• Strenuous exercise or vigorous workout routines can transiently elevate SGOT levels, hence, it is best to avoid these for about 48 hours before the test. Let your doctor know about your regular exercise habits so that results can be assessed in the appropriate context. Light exercise can be continued.

What to Expect During the Sample Collection?

• A trained phlebotomist from PharmEasy will arrive at your home at the scheduled time.
• They will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial.
• You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

What to Expect After the Test?

• Mild throbbing may be felt at the blood collection site after the blood is drawn, which will get better in a few minutes.
• Occasionally, you may feel dizzy, in which case you may lie down for a while until the feeling passes.

Note: If you notice anything unusual at the puncture site, such as persistent bleeding, a rash, or pain, consult your healthcare provider.

The SGOT test measures a single key parameter:

• SGOT (aspartate aminotransferase), reported in units per litre (U/L).

The table below shows standard reference ranges of SGOT levels.

Important note: SGOT (AST) levels may vary with age, sex and muscle mass, as SGOT is also present in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Levels can also be higher in newborns and young children than in adults. Normal ranges may differ slightly between laboratories. Always refer to the reference range provided on your specific lab report and consult your doctor for a personalised interpretation.

SGOT results must always be interpreted in the context of your gender, symptoms, alcohol use, medications, and the degree of elevation.

Important: SGOT (AST) is found not only in the liver but also in the heart, skeletal muscles, kidneys, brain, and blood cells. Therefore, an elevated SGOT does not always indicate liver disease. Doctors may interpret it alongside SGPT (ALT), bilirubin, ALP, and other tests, as well as your symptoms and medical history.The above table is for educational purposes only. SGOT interpretation requires the expertise of a healthcare professional.

Potential Risks and Complications

• The SGOT test is generally safe and involves minimal risk.
• Mild discomfort, slight bleeding, or bruising at the blood collection site, dizziness, or light-headedness may occasionally occur.
• In rare cases, there may be difficulty locating a vein, or a small risk of infection.

Understanding SGOT Test Limitations

• Since SGOT is also found in the heart, skeletal muscles, kidneys, brain, and blood cells, this test is not specific for identifying liver damage alone.
• Additional tests are usually needed to identify the underlying cause of liver damage.
• SGOT does not show how well the liver is functioning, even though it detects the damage.
• Intense exercise or muscle injury may temporarily elevate SGOT levels.
• Sometimes, SGOT levels may be normal in some liver conditions, particularly in certain early or mild cases.
• Other tests such as SGPT/ALT, bilirubin, and ALP, as well as symptoms, and medical history have to be taken into account while interpreting the SGOT test results.

An SGOT test in Pune is typically priced around INR 175. The cost may vary depending on the city and the laboratory selected. To get a clearer understanding, you can compare SGOT test prices across major cities in India.

You can book SGOT test in Pune through PharmEasy with convenient home sample collection across several localities, including:

• Kothrud
• Shivajinagar
• Baner
• Aundh
• Pashan
• Wagholi
• Karve Nagar
• Warje
• Sinhagad Road
• Viman Nagar
• Lohegaon
• Kalyani Nagar
• Koregaon Park
• Hadapsar
• Mundhwa
• Kharadi
• Hinjewadi
• Nigdi
• Pimple Saudagar
• Dhankawadi

You can also check service availability during purchase by entering your PIN code.